Representatives of South East Technological University (SETU) recently travelled to Valencia Catholic University Saint Vincent Martyr (UCV) to strengthen academic and professional ties between the two universities. The delegation included Prof Helen Hughes, Dr Claire Lennon, Dr Shiau Pin (Graece) Tan, Dr Mike Kinsella, and Sarah Brown. Their visit, facilitated by the Call for Research Mobility for EU-CONEXUS Alliance Members, aimed to explore collaborative opportunities for students and staff. Both SETU and UCV are part of EU-CONEXUS, European University for Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability, an alliance that fosters international collaboration and interdisciplinary learning. 

Enhancing pharmacy education 

The visit was particularly valuable for colleagues involved in the ongoing development of the Master of Pharmacy programme at SETU. UCV’s state-of-the-art Virtual Hospital, designed for clinical simulation training, provided insights into innovative teaching methods. 

Reflecting on the experience, Sarah Brown, Lecturer in Pharmacy, SETU shared: 
“One of the most impactful activities was touring UCV’s cutting-edge Virtual Hospital. Seeing this technologically advanced, simulated medical environment firsthand highlighted how immersive training tools can significantly enhance students’ clinical skills. This experience is extremely valuable for our Master of Pharmacy development.” 

Interprofessional learning 

A key focus of the visit was to establish stronger academic and professional ties between SETU and UCV. Discussions were held on developing an international virtual interprofessional learning (IPL) experience for Master of Pharmacy students at SETU and Medical students at UCV. 

Dr Claire Lennon, SETU Pharmacy Programme Development Lead commented on the opportunity 

“We delivered a presentation to colleagues on our Master of Pharmacy programme development, research initiatives, and interprofessional learning opportunities. This visit has been highly beneficial, allowing us to connect with UCV, explore their advanced Virtual Hospital, and identify opportunities for international collaboration in interprofessional learning.” 

Research collaboration through the Eco-Innovation Research Centre 

Separate from the pharmacy-focused discussions, Prof Helen Hughes, Dr Graece Tan and Dr Mike Kinsella from SETU’s Eco-Innovation Research Centre met with Dr Ángel Serrano-Aroca from UCV’s Department of Biotechnology. This research visit, initiated through an EU-CONEXUS matchmaking event, focused on developing a seed funding application for antimicrobial research using natural sources such as seashells. Face-to-face meetings such as this facilitate meaningful collaborations and in-depth discussions. 

Prof Helen Hughes, SETU Academic-Enterprise Liaison for Eco-Innovation, reflected on the potential for future research 

“The most important benefit of this visit is the development of research links between UCV and SETU, using this as a foundation for a larger research application across the alliance. The mobility programme provided us with valuable insights into UCV’s facilities and research capabilities while allowing us to showcase our own expertise at SETU.” 

Dr Graece Tan, Lecturer in Science added: “This visit has allowed us to explore UCV’s facilities and establish partnerships for future research collaborations. It will also benefit future PhD students by providing access to expertise from both institutions, facilitating the exchange of techniques and knowledge between SETU and UCV.” 

Additionally, Dr Mike Kinsella, Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Science and Academic Lead for EU-CONEXUS at SETU commented: “The impacts of this visit are already clear, with new projects being developed, new activities and collaborations beginning to arise and spread to other SETU staff members as a result.” 

Looking ahead 

The visit to UCV has opened new avenues for collaboration in pharmacy education, interprofessional learning, and research. Strengthening ties between SETU and UCV will enhance student learning experiences, expand research opportunities, and foster innovation in both institutions. Moving forward, faculty members will continue to develop these initiatives, ensuring long-term benefits for students and researchers alike. 

Pictured L-R Sarah Brown, Lecturer in Pharmacy; Dr Graece Tan, Lecturer in Science; Prof Helen Hughes, SETU Academic-Enterprise Liaison for Eco-Innovation; Dr Claire Lennon, SETU Pharmacy Programme Development Lead and Dr Mike Kinsella, Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Science and Academic Lead for EU-CONEXUS at SETU